Update on Use and Beneficiaries of Climate-Friendly Households Programme
Ministry of Sustainability and the EnvironmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the utilization and scope of the Climate-Friendly Households Programme as raised by Mr Murali Pillai. Minister Grace Fu Hai Yien reported that over 65,700 households have registered, with 14,000 vouchers used for energy-efficient refrigerators, LED lights, and water-efficient shower fittings. These vouchers remain valid until 31 December 2023 to allow for replacements only when existing household appliances are due for change. Minister Grace Fu Hai Yien clarified there are no current plans to include air-conditioners, water heaters, or washing machines as the programme focuses on essential appliances for lower-income households. The government will continue to monitor take-up rates and conduct outreach through community partners to encourage more residents to utilize the available vouchers.
Transcript
53 Mr Murali Pillai asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment out of the 300,000 eligible HDB households benefiting from the Climate-Friendly Households (CFH) Programme (a) how many households have utilised the e-vouchers to date, with specific breakdowns for purchases of (i) climate-friendly refrigerators (ii) water efficient shower fittings and (iii) energy-efficient LED lights; and (b) whether the CFH Programme can be extended to the purchase of energy-efficient and climate-friendly air-conditioners, water heaters or washing machines to promote a better take-up rate of the programme.
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: More than 65,700 or 20% of households eligible for the Climate-Friendly Households (CFH) Programme have registered for the e-vouchers as of August 2021. About 14,000 vouchers have been utilised so far, of which 6,600 were for the purchase of energy-efficient refrigerators, 5,200 for LED lights, and 2,200 for water-efficient shower fittings. The vouchers are valid till 31 December 2023 so that households may choose to use them only when their appliances are due for replacement.
There is currently no plan to extend the programme to cover other types of appliances, as the programme is intended to help lower-income households take climate action while saving money and is targeted at essential household appliances. We will continue to monitor the take-up rate of the vouchers and review the programme at an appropriate juncture. Meanwhile, NEA and PUB have been working with community partners to conduct outreach efforts to residents on the programme.